Today we are going to discuss the effects of exercise on individuals who have been born or diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Miletus and explore how exercise can impact on your lifestyle positively.

First and foremost, to understand the benefits of exercise to contribute towards a better health, we must understand, in simple terms, what Type 1 Diabetes is and how it effects our bodies, in order to tailor our exercise programs to achieve maximum benefits.Upon reading this article, it is advised that you consult your local physician prior to exercising, if you have any health concerns.​Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune deficiency that effects the body’s ability to recognise “self” from “non self”. In simplicity, our body’s immune system, has the ability to recognise foreign substances within our body, i.e. viruses and pathogens that cause us to feel sick, in response to this, our body creates antibodies to counteract these antigens or foreign substances. This is a key function of the body and therefore is pinnacle in maintaining balance and overall optimal health.

So when the body is unable to recognise these “foreign substances” known as antigens, as described above, the body then starts to attack healthy tissue and cells as a response to not being able to identify what is considered “healthy” and what is considered “foreign”.

​Ergo, our pancreas is the primary source and production of a substance known as insulin. The function of insulin, is to curtail high levels of blood glucose (sugar) and hence to prevent hypoglycaemia, a condition when the body’s normal homeostatic blood glucose levels, drop below range. In specificity the pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin through what is known physiologically as beta cells.

In regards to type 1 Diabetes Miletus, the body cannot distinguish between the “healthy” tissues and cells and therefore attack these beta cells, thus causing a deficiency in insulin, causing problems within the range of homeostasis, the body’s ability to maintain its constant internal environment within normal parameters. Insulin is a key aspect in ensuring the body maintains its blood glucose levels.